When you were a kid, you didn’t have any “real-world” duties, so it allowed you to spend your time inventing games, talking to imaginary friends, making tents out of bedsheets, and basically doing whatever you wanted to do for most of the day. You dreamed…A LOT.

Now, of course, you have obligations and responsibilities that help make sure that everything runs smoothly. You map out logistics and build routines that create a sense of comfort, security and stability in your life.

While those elements are essential to being a grown-up, you still need to dream and play in order to maintain your sanity and build a life worth living. Scientific studies have proven that play makes you smarter. Dreaming creates new possibilities.

Here are a few simple steps to help you put your dreamer in the driver’s seat.

Play Like A Child. Maybe tree-climbing is no longer in your wheelhouse, but you can still run across an open field with your arms out like an airplane. You can still doodle with crayons and see what emerges. The trick is to go in with no specific agenda (other than enjoyment), and play.

Love Your Friends. Before we learned to guard ourselves against rejection and heartache, we laughed openly with our friends, told them how awesome they were, and gave them lots of hugs. Guess what…you can still do all that. And the oxytocin and serotonin released will make you feel amazing, and stimulate your brain in wonderful ways.

Dream BIGGER. Sure, it makes sense to put “realistic” goals on your list, but what about your “impossible” dreams? Let your imagination run wild and your curiosity guide you…What if you could end world hunger? What if you could have numerous homes all over the world? What if you couldhave a car for everyday of the week? Or lead the cause that ended global warming? Let your mind become limitless again…and just see what happens.

One of the biggest keys to happiness is to do the things that you enjoy. Chances are, they are the simple things you’ve done ever since you were a kid.